Generally I have a system that work almost all the time; ALMOST.
Generally when I spot an insect I ask if it has antennas or not bc generally predators have long antennas whereas the pest mostly either do not or have very short ones.
next I assess where it’s eyes are. If it’s looking up or out it’s generally a predator looking outward/not at the plant for food.
mid it is looking down or if it’s mouth is down it’s a pest feeding but SOMETIMES it’s a predator looking for small pest.
this thing has extra equipment, not sure if it is for finding prey or sap, small antennas and grasshopper legs. My gut says it’s a pest but I’m really curious what it is.
I never see them in numbers, generally solo.
Generally when I spot an insect I ask if it has antennas or not bc generally predators have long antennas whereas the pest mostly either do not or have very short ones.
next I assess where it’s eyes are. If it’s looking up or out it’s generally a predator looking outward/not at the plant for food.
mid it is looking down or if it’s mouth is down it’s a pest feeding but SOMETIMES it’s a predator looking for small pest.
this thing has extra equipment, not sure if it is for finding prey or sap, small antennas and grasshopper legs. My gut says it’s a pest but I’m really curious what it is.
I never see them in numbers, generally solo.